The psychological effects of a cardiovascular accident on a patient
Our patient, Peter, is 42 years old. He is married and has two children, a daughter, who is 13 and a son, who is 11. Peter is highly qualified; whose job requires a lot of travelling and human contact. He suffered a cardiovascular accident when he was at home with his family a month ago. His life lacks certain risk factors, he does not smoke; drinks only socially and frugally. He is emotionally stable and enjoys a happy marriage and family life.
There are a few risk factors; he has one great source of stress, his work. He has a familiar history of cardiovascular disease and also his blood pressure is high.
Patient Recognition Month Poster
A patient having his blood pressure taken by a phy...
English: Out Patients 2 and Children's Out Patient...The CVA he suffered affected him in many ways. His emotional and psychological well-being, his adjustment to the environment, his movement has changed. His right side shows weakness and he has a mild expressive dysphasia. Certain therapeutic goals have been set for him, e. g. improve walking, dressing practice, work around the house.
His wife reported situations when he gets irritated. He has difficulties to sleep and has occasional episodes of uncontrollable crying or laughter. Peter has a changed relationship with her wife; he feels their relationship lost some of the previous intimacy.
A cardiovascular accident is a life-changing event by most of the patients, not only for Peter. Survivors require a lot of physical and emotional effort on the way of recovery every day. Certain symptoms are more perceptible and obvious, but others are less evident even for the patients and their families. (Thompson, Ryan, 2009) Cardiovascular accident patients can have various psychosocial symptoms and areas of problems. They show lower level of adjustment and adaptation, have insufficient communication and their social relationships are weakened. Lower...